Peru Attempts to Improve Cultural and Diplomatic Ties with its Neighbors
Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, the new President of Peru, announces the creation of Bi-national Cabinets of Ministerial Cooperation
August 10th, 2016President Kuczynski, who assumed charge on 26 August, sent a letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs in which he remarked on the importance of foreign policy in promoting prosperity and democracy. His intention is to strengthen cultural and diplomatic ties with Peru’s neighbors through the installation of bi-national cabinets of cooperation, which already exist with Ecuador, Bolivia and Colombia.
The question here is: what is a bi-national cabinet and how does it work? Essentially, it is a permanent institution between the executive of two countries – normally the ministers – aiming to improve their cooperation. As we already remarked, Peru has this kind of institution with Ecuador, Bolivia and Colombia, which are functioning well, especially in the ambits of economics, politics and culture. The existing bi-national cabinets are involved in improving the social situation in areas close to the frontiers. The main aim is to expand this idea to other countries in the region, such as Chile and Brazil. However, this remains a political declaration that will hopefully serve to expand the Peruvian culture through diplomacy and inter-governmental cooperation.
President Kuczynski emphasised the professionality of the Peruvian diplomatic system and also added that the executive power will try to project Peru to other countries and continents. During the age of globalization, when the main issue is protecting traditions, sharing and expanding your culture is actually a way to transcend boundaries, creating an element of fraternity.